Blenda Venda comes to Crowthorne C of E!

Putting a new spin on singing for your supper, Blenda Venda joined us at school earlier this term. Part of our Healthy Schools initiative involves healthy eating so armed with fruit, a bicycle and a blender, our demonstrator encouraged the children to provide the power needed to make the blender work. The result? Delicious smoothies containing banana, pineapple and raspberries. The children loved the fact they had to pedal for their drinks and they really enjoyed the smoothies too, as you can see by the following photos!

CROWTHORNE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dear Parent(s)                                                                       7^th October 2008

School Lunches

Following consultation with the children and parent feedback we have made a few minor changes to the school lunch menu.  Each day there will be at least one ‘child friendly' yet nutritious vegetable option available.  We have also looked at the meat content of each meal to ensure the children are given good quality food.  I attach a copy of the new menu which we are trialling for the next month.  I would appreciate any feedback, regarding the quality/choice of meals, which you would like to give.  Please let Mrs Paterson know your comments.

Friday Assemblies

The Friday assembly programme for this term is now completed.  You are very welcome to join us each Tuesday when Rev. Cornwell leads assembly and Friday for our whole school assemblies.  The Friday assembly programme is listed below:

Healthy Schools Task Group

A reminder that there is to be a Healthy Schools Task Group meeting on Wednesday 15^th October at 3.30 pm in the school library.  If you would like to join this group please contact Mrs Dewson, Chairperson or Mrs Paterson.  Thank you.

School Photographer

The photographer will be in school on Thursday 23^rd October taking individual photographs of the children during the school day.  If you wish your child to be photographed with their brothers/sisters please let Mrs Paterson know before Thursday 23^rd October.  From 6-7 pm the photographer will be available to take family photographs.  This is a fantastic opportunity to have your photo taken as a whole family as a wonderful Christmas present for relatives.  There is no need to make an appointment just turn up between 6-7 pm.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Teacher Training Day

Please remember school is closed on Friday 24^th October for a teacher training day. 

School reopens after half-term on Monday 3^rd November.

Yours sincerely

B L Gellatly (Mrs)

Headteacher

CROWTHORNE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

AUTUMN TERM - NEWSLETTER

15^th September 2008

Dear Parent(s)                                                                             

Welcome back to our school for the Autumn Term.  A warm welcome to new families, who have joined us this academic year.  I hope you and your children will be happy at our school.

Staffing

I am pleased to be able to inform you that we have appointed Jo Dawson to work in school for some time each week.  Jo can offer help and advice on family matters.  Initially she will be in school each Friday from 2.30 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. If you would like to contact her you can let Mrs. Paterson know in the Office or phone her on 07825 621365.

Absence

Children of school age, by law, must attend school regularly.  If you need to ask for leave of absence this must be done before the absence is taken. I am only legally allowed to authorise 10 school days each year, more than this is counted as unauthorised absence.

Please can I emphasise that holiday should only be taken during term time if it cannot be taken during school holidays.  Also if a child has two weeks holiday each year, by the end of Year 6 this equates to a whole term out of school.

We also have in place a ‘first day call' system.  If you do not contact us on the first day of your child's absence we will contact you.  To reduce the number of calls we have to make, if your child is unwell please telephone school each day of your child's absence, if possible before 9.30 a.m.  Thank you.

Behaviour

We are very proud of the behaviour of the children in our care.  To this end we have a system of rewards and termly certificates.  Teachers will contact parents specifically to share positive feedback.  Certificates are awarded to the children for achievement in work or behaviour, at the end of each term.  These are presented at our Friday assembly or at the end of term assembly.  The children are proud to receive these awards.

Conversely we have set procedures which are recorded in our Behaviour Policy for those occasions when a child's behaviour does not meet our expectations.  This is available in school, with all our policies for parents to read.

School Uniform

Winter uniform for both boys and girls includes a button to the neck white or grey shirt and a school tie, which can be purchased from the School Office for £2.50. Only watches and stud earrings may be worn. Earrings have to be removed for P.E. For P.E. children should wear a plain white polo or t-shirt and black shorts. White polo shirts with the school logo for P.E. may be purchased from the National Schoolwear Centre.

Please encourage the children to dress smartly for school. Shirts should be tucked in and ties tied, so they are a reasonable length. We are trying to develop smart dress habits to prepare pupils for Secondary School and their working life.

Assemblies

You are very welcome to join us for Friday assembly at 8.50 a.m. On Friday we hold visitor, class or sharing assemblies. I will publish the list for this term, once it is confirmed.  Assemblies planned to date are as follows:

Friday 21^stSept - Year 3 House Sorting School Council badges will be presented at this assembly.

Tuesday 2^nd October at 8.50 a.m - Harvest Festival Assembly.  As Reverend Cornwell does not work on Friday, we have decided to hold this on the day she normally leads our assembly. Further details will follow regarding this assembly.

School Records

If you have changed any of your personal details e.g. home address, email address, mobile phone number, doctor's details, please notify the School Office. There have been occasions when we have not been able to contact parents, as we have not had an up to date mobile number. Please ensure you inform us whenever you change this.

Breaktime Snacks

The children are welcome to bring a snack to eat at playtime. Could I remind you they are only allowed fresh fruit or vegetables. Some of the older children have taken to eating crisps or cookies. This does not set the younger children a good example and contradicts our ‘healthy schools' policy. Please reinforce to the children that they should not be eating crisps/cookies etc. at playtime and these should be a treat as part of their packed lunch. Thank you.

School lunches

Should you wish to pay Cook in advance for school lunches please pay her directly in the school kitchen.  Thank you.

Tesco Sport/ICT Vouchers

We are collecting these vouchers, so would appreciate any you may receive.  If your child cannot locate the voucher box in the entrance hall, they may be brought to the School Office. 

Millennium Garden

The current Millennium Garden is not the thing of beauty it once was and due to the unsafe nature of the decking when it is wet, we hope to renovate the whole space over the October Half Term holiday.  The project is being funded by the amazing efforts of the PTA and the intention is to keep the bones of the original garden but to change the space to provide a more sensory experience, which  also requires little or no maintenance.

If you are looking to obtain decking for your own garden, we will be having a decking removal "party" - date to be confirmed.  Everyone is welcome to attend; those who wish to have some of the old decking may do so at that time - subject to availability. If you would like to see plans or to volunteer for the decking removal party, please contact the Office or Sarah Dewson who is co-ordinating this project.

Healthy Schools Task Group

As part of the on-going commitment we have to our Healthy Schools policy, Mrs Pandya has very kindly volunteered to come in to school this term and host an assembly on Friday 7^th November looking at Diwali.  This will provide an interesting and colourful start to our day.  Additionally, we are pleased to announce that Blender Vender will be joining us on Friday 19^th September.  They put a new spin on the phrase "singing for your supper" as each class will get the opportunity to make its own smoothie the catch is that they will be using a bicycle and their own effort to power the blender.

We are already looking at further activities to do with the children for the rest of the academic year, ideas so far, include herb gardening, designing new posters, designing playground games, looking at the 5 a-day message and role playing playground situations. 

The Healthy Schools Task Group is made up of parents and school staff and we would welcome any parents wishing to work as a part of that group. If you are interested please speak to the Office or Sarah Dewson for further details on attending our next meeting which will be on the 15^th of October at 3.30 p.m. in the school library.

Birthday Celebrations  

Having discussed the issue of how to celebrate pupil birthdays in school in the Healthy Schools Task Group it was agreed that instead of bringing cakes or sweets to share in class the children may come to school out of uniform on their birthday.  Should their birthday fall at the weekend or during the school holidays then they can choose a day either before or after the weekend/holiday to come to school out of uniform.  The children were very excited about the prospect of being able to wear special clothes to school on their birthday.  I do hope you will support this new initiative.  Thank you.

Forthcoming Events

Parents Information Evening -  This will take place on Tuesday 23^rd September starting at 6.00 p.m. for Reception to Year 5.  Each Class teacher will do their presentation at 6.00 p.m. and again at 6.30 p.m. in order for parents with children in more than one class to hear the talks. 

The Year 6 presentation will take place at 6.30 p.m. only as this is to be followed at 7.00 p.m. by a meeting for Year 6 parents about the residential journey planned for May 2009.  Should you have any concerns/issues you wish to discuss with the classteacher please arrange to see them after school one day if there is not the opportunity at this meeting. Formal parent's evenings, with set appointments will be held later in the term.

Macmillan Coffee Morning - This event will be held after assembly until 11.15 a.m in the dinning hall on Friday 26^th September. Any offers of cakes or raffle items to Mrs Pandya, or Mrs. Forbes. I do hope you will support this event.

Attached are the lists of Clubs taking place this term and also the dates of events planned for the term. Further details for each event will follow nearer its date.

We are trying to encourage as many parents as possible to receive letters from school by email.  If you have been receiving paper copies but are able/willing to have letters sent by email please could you give Mrs. Paterson your email address.  Thank you.

I look forward to a successful year and hope that if you have any concerns, you will arrange to come in and see me about them.

Yours sincerely

B L Gellatly (Mrs)

Headteacher

Clubs

The clubs on offer this term are listed below. These will begin this week commencing Wednesday 17^th September except for Cookery Club and the Thursday Football Club.  Cookery Club will start on Thursday 25^th, September.  If more than eight children apply a second group will start later in the term.  Thursday Football Club for Years 5 & 6 will start after the half term break.  Children wishing to attend a club must return the attached permission slip signed by a parent. Paper copies of permission slips can be obtained from the School Office. Please could you also emphasise to the children, that if they commit themselves to a club, they are expected to attend on a regular basis.

I am in great need of extra parents/grandparents to help with Knitting Club on a Tuesday lunchtime.  If we have any ‘knitting nannas' out there we would love to see you!

If any parent is interested in running a club, please contact the school office or talk to me. Thank you.

Autumn Term 2008 - School Clubs

       DIARY DATES FOR THE AUTUMN TERM 2008

19 September                        8.50 a.m Yr 3 House Sorting Assembly

23 September                       6.00 - 7.00 p.m. Parents Information Evening

                                                7.00 p.m. Year 6 Journey meeting

26 September                       Macmillan Coffee Morning

30 September                       8.50 a.m Harvest Festival Assembly

                                                7.30 p.m. PTA AGM

 8 October                             6.00 p.m Governors Meeting

14 October                            Year 4 & 5 Residential journey meeting

15 October                            3.30 p.m. Healthy Schools task Group meeting

18 October                            PTA Winter Ball at Wellington College

22 October                            Bracknell Schools Tag Rugby Festival

23 October                            School Photographer - Individual & Family

24 October                            School Closed - Teacher Training Day

27 - 31 October                    HALF TERM

12 November                         3.30 - 7.00 p.m Parents Evening

13 November                         3.30 - 6.00 p.m Parents Evening

14 November                         Bracknell Schools Cross Country Event

22 November                        PTA Quiz Night

28 November                         PTA Children's Disco

03 December                         9.30 - 11.30 a.m. New Intake visits

03 December                         6.00 p.m Governors Meeting

04 December                         9.30 - 11.30 a.m. (1.30 p.m.) New Intake visits

05 December                         8.50 a.m Tree Decorating Ceremony

07 December                         Bracknell Town Christmas Carol Concert

08 December                         a.m Infant Production Dress Rehearsal

09 December                         10.30 a.m KS1 Production

10 December                         6.30 p.m KS1 Production

15 December                         Helping Parents ‘Thank you' Lunch

16 December                         Christmas Dinner at School

17 December                         School visit to Pantomime at Camberley Theatre

19 December                         1.30 p.m End of Term Service at St Johns Church

                                              2.30 p.m School day finishes at Church

CROWTHORNE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dear

CLUB PERMISSION SLIP

I give permission for my child ................................................ to stay to .................................................... club

on ................................................... and make provisions that they are collected safely after school.

     Signed:...............................................................

Parent/Guardian

CROWTHORNE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dear

CLUB PERMISSION SLIP

I give permission for my child ................................................ to stay to .................................................... club

on ................................................... and make provisions that they are collected safely after school.

     Signed:...............................................................

Parent/Guardian

CROWTHORNE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dear

CLUB PERMISSION SLIP

I give permission for my child ................................................ to stay to .................................................... club

on ................................................... and make provisions that they are collected safely after school.

     Signed:...............................................................

Parent/Guardian

  CROWTHORNE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dear Parent(s),                                                                                        11^th July 2008

Staffing Organisation - The staffing organisation for the academic year 2008-2009 will be as follows:

Reception                   Miss Roberts

Year One                    Mrs. Liptrot                          Key Stage 1 Leader

Year Two                    Miss Pettengell

Year Three                Mrs. Parker                Key Stage 2 Leader

Year Four                   Mrs. Hilton-Gee

Year Five                    Mrs. Jones

Year Six                     Miss Jackson             Deputy Headteacher

The children will have an opportunity to meet their new teacher next Tuesday morning between 10.30 a.m. and 12 noon.   The children will have been told the name of their new teacher at the end of the school day when this letter is distributed.  Thank you.

School Meals - I have been informed by Caterhouse, our catering company, that there will be an increase in the price of a school meal from £1.75 to £1.85 from September 2008.  Additional items on sale will be priced as follows:

Pure Juice - 200ml carton                            35p

Drink fit flavoured milk                                35p

Organic milk                                                25p

Cook has requested that any lunch payments be made directly to her please, we would ask that you don't send them to the School Office.  Thank you.

Volunteering Opportunities - From September PACT will be working from our school site.  PACT is a charity that specializes in lending a helping hand to families who want to improve their family life.  They need volunteers who can commit to activities taking place on our site.  If you are interested in giving some of your time to supporting the work of PACT please ask for a leaflet from the School Office.  Thank you.

Lost Property - Please could I ask you to come in and look at the lost property.  This will be put out in the hall at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday 22^nd July.  Any not collected by the end of term will be disposed of.  Thank you.

Leavers' Assembly - This assembly will take place on Wednesday 23^rd July in the school hall from 1.30 p.m.  At this assembly we present Year 6 with their leaving gift, various trophies to the children and our cheque to the chosen Charity of the Year.  All parents are welcome to attend.  This is quite a long assembly lasting approximately 1¼ hours so young children may become unsettled.  It is our opportunity to celebrate achievement through the year and say goodbye to our present Year 6 pupils. 

Certificates - The certificates we present at the end of each term will be given to the children on Friday 19^th July after assembly so that the Leavers' Assembly at the end of term doesn't overrun.  Thank you.

End of Term - Please could I remind you that term ends on Wednesday 23^rd July at 3.15 p.m. at school. The Autumn Term starts on Thursday 4^th September at 8.50 a.m.

Yours sincerely,

B. L. Gellatly (Mrs)

Headteacher

This year we took part in the Crowthorne Carnival procession once again. We entered a fantastic float on the theme of Circus with all the children dressed as circus entertainers. Our float was so good that not only did we win the schools category we won the overall competition.

Mr and Mrs Castle and their team of helpers worked very hard before and on the day. Without them we wouldn't have been so successful. The children all had a fantastic time and looked very colourful in their bright costumes.

One of our Year 3 pupils has won the design a poster competition, for the Walk to School Week initiative. We are very proud of him and are very pleased to announce that his poster will be distributed to every school in the Bracknell Forest area.